UNITED NATIONS, July 07. /ITAR-TASS/. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on the Ukrainian authorities to display maximum restraint and take all possible steps to protect civilians in Ukraine’s eastern regions.

In a statement distributed today, he also condemned continuing illegal activities by armed groups.

Military means will not resolve the Ukrainian crisis, Ban said, adding that political and diplomatic process aimed at termination of violence needs to be re-launched in Ukraine.